Barista - Library Specialist Blended Role

Barista - Library Specialist Blended Role

Arapahoe Libraries is seeking a Blended Barista/Library Specialist for the Smoky Hill Library to deliver outstanding customer service both behind the café counter and on the library floor. You'll provide fast, friendly café service, maintain high food safety standards, and offer knowledgeable assistance to library patrons. If you're patient and attentive and take pride in your work while supporting those around you, this role offers the best of both worlds. We are recruiting for three part-time (30 hours) positions.

About the Role

As part of the Smoky Hill Library team, this hybrid position blends café service with library support to create a seamless and engaging patron experience. You'll be scheduled to spend approximately 75% of your time in the café and 25% of your time working as a Library Specialist on the library floor, allowing you to focus fully on each area during your scheduled time. In the café, you'll prepare quality beverages and food, maintain a clean and organized workspace, and manage transactions accurately, even during high-volume or fast-paced times. When scheduled on the library floor, you'll assist patrons with materials, technology, and programs, bringing patience, focus, and active listening to every interaction. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, stays flexible when plans change, and finds fulfillment in helping others while supporting their team.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service and Café Operations

• Greet and connect with every patron to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
• Take orders, process payments, and manage cash drawers with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Prepare and serve beverages and food items according to recipes, presentation, and safety standards.
• Maintain café cleanliness and organization, following health and sanitation guidelines.
• Restock supplies, manage workflow efficiently, and follow opening and closing procedures.

Library Patron Assistance, Materials Handling, and Learning and Development

• Welcome visitors, assist with library accounts, and provide advisory and reference support.
• Help patrons with technology questions, including e-resources, devices, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Maintain library collections through shelving, merchandising, and display creation.
• Promote library resources, programs, and events, connecting patrons with opportunities to learn and engage.
• Keep current on library services, technology, and trends to provide informed, proactive assistance.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in committees, projects, and library-wide initiatives that support community engagement.
• Assist Friends of the Library volunteers and support related cash-handling activities.
• Contribute to displays and promotional efforts that enhance the patron experience.

What You Will Bring

Customer Service and Communication: You're friendly, professional, and genuinely enjoy connecting with a wide range of people. You listen actively, communicate clearly, and help patrons feel seen, heard, and supported, even during busy or challenging moments.

Reliability and Attention to Detail: You're dependable, organized, and take pride in doing things accurately and consistently, whether balancing a register, following procedures, or completing tasks from start to finish.

Resilience and Adaptability: You stay calm and patient in fast-paced or unpredictable situations, adjust easily when plans change, and continue to provide steady, high-quality service.

Teamwork and Collaboration: You value teamwork and show up for your colleagues, offering support, sharing responsibilities, and contributing to a respectful and cooperative environment.

Equity-Focused Perspective: You welcome diversity, foster inclusion, and serve all patrons with empathy and fairness.

Alignment to ALD Core Values: You embody collaboration, equity, and innovation in your daily work and interactions.

Qualifications

Required:

• One year of customer service experience.
• Intermediate technology skills (Microsoft 365) and the ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including evenings and Saturdays
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to travel between facilities as needed.

Preferred:

• Experience in beverage or food preparation.
• Cash register or point-of-sale experience.
• Experience working with children or teens.

Who We Are

At Arapahoe Libraries, we are a forward-thinking, inclusive organization committed to enriching lives and strengthening our community. Guided by our core values of collaboration, equity, and innovation, we believe in the power of curiosity and lifelong learning. Our motto, "Let's Find Out," reflects our spirit of exploration and shared discovery.

Let's Find Out Together

This is more than a job; it's an opportunity to connect people, ideas, and experiences through service and kindness. If you're dependable, adaptable, patient, and motivated by helping others while supporting your team, we would love for you to bring your energy and enthusiasm to our Smoky Hill team. Apply today!

Inclusion and diversity are part of our values at Arapahoe Libraries. Qualified applicants who can support the communities we serve are encouraged to apply.